“While undoubtedly increased sodium [salt] intake is associated with higher blood pressure, the epidemiologic relationship of high sodium intake in Western societies related to stroke or cardiovascular disease (CVD) is weak and inconsistent.” […]

Evidence in support of restricted salt intake to prevent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has come, in large part, from the relationship of salt intake to blood pressure, Taylor and co-authors noted in the background of their report.

In other words, anti-salt scaremongers have adopted a two-degrees-of-separation approach to theorize about the effects of sodium consumption on the heart. It should come as no surprise that their speculation is losing whatever credibility, if any, it once had. We’re sure the anti-salt zealots will respond to the latest study by demanding even greater salt reductions, but that seems like more of the same nonsense.

American Journal of Hypertension editor Michael Alderman has long been a critic of overzealous public policy targeting salt intake. He considers the Big Apple’s salt-reduction attempts “an experiment on a whole population.” And this latest analysis questioning the so-called conventional wisdom about salt is by no means an anomaly.

We’re glad that responsible scientists calling for a higher standard of truth for health policy decisions now have even more ammunition to make their case. Meanwhile, we have a different take: Basing your diet on CSPI’s pronouncements could increase your risk of dying. Who would have thought?